Evan Essapa, a Black Franco-Ivorian Canadian based in Edmonton, is creating ripples of change through AfroProUnity—connecting Black professionals to communities for healing, empowerment, and lasting impact.
In Edmonton, Alberta, a quiet revolution is unfolding—one built not on spectacle, but on service, research, and a deep-seated commitment to community. Evan Essapa, a young Franco-Ivorian Canadian psychologist and social impact leader, is reshaping how Black communities in Canada and beyond connect to care, leadership, and each other. While he may not yet be a household name, his work is proving essential for the well-being and empowerment of Black communities across North America.
At the heart of Evan’s work is AfroProUnity, an online platform and resource hub he founded during his graduate studies in Counselling Psychology. AfroProUnity isn’t just a directory or a brand—it’s a movement grounded in the idea that access to culturally aligned, Black professionals has a measurable, life-changing impact. From therapists and doctors to lawyers, teachers, and business consultants, the platform is designed to bridge the gap between Black professionals and the communities they are best equipped to serve.
Evan’s academic research backs this up with compelling data. His findings show that when Black individuals receive care or services from Black professionals, they report feeling more understood, respected, and satisfied. Even more striking, data suggest that in provinces or states with a higher density of Black professionals, the life expectancy of the local Black population tends to increase. Representation isn’t just about optics—it’s about survival, mental health, and long-term well-being.
Yet the access gap remains persistent.
Across Canada and the United States, many Black individuals struggle to find culturally attuned support in their own cities. AfroProUnity aims to address this systemic gap through digital infrastructure, awareness, and network-building. It's a way to say: “You are not alone—and the support you need exists, often closer than you think.”
However, Evan Essapa’s work doesn’t stop at research or platform building. As a practicing psychologist, he is actively on the frontlines of healing. He brings a rare blend of scholarly insight, cultural empathy, and therapeutic skill to his sessions, walking alongside his clients as they navigate trauma, identity, family, mental illness, and the constant undercurrent of systemic injustice. His approach is not one-size-fits-all; it's tailored, rooted in lived experience, and shaped by the wisdom of a diasporic Black identity.
Evan has spoken openly about how his heritage informs his practice. Being both Franco-Ivorian and Canadian, he understands the dualities and cultural tensions many of his clients face, especially those living at the intersection of migration, race, and belonging. He doesn’t just offer therapy sessions; he offers safe spaces where Black individuals can feel seen without explanation, validated without caveats.
Through AfroProUnity and his clinical work, Evan is creating the change many of us talk about but rarely see executed so intentionally. He is building systems that challenge invisibility. He is investing in intergenerational healing. And most importantly, he is amplifying the power of connection—between individuals, within communities, and across professions.
Here are a few key takeaways from his growing impact:
Why AfroProUnity matters:
Black communities continue to face significant barriers in accessing culturally appropriate services. AfroProUnity is addressing this through:
- Access and visibility: Making it easier to find Black professionals across Canada and the U.S. in fields such as health care, education, and legal services.
- Mental health advocacy: Promoting culturally competent care that acknowledges the unique emotional and psychological burdens Black people face.
- Community empowerment: Fostering economic and social resilience by investing in Black-owned and -led service provision.
- Evidence-based outcomes: Sharing research that connects increased representation to improved quality of life and well-being for Black populations.
Evan’s personal approach as a psychologist:
His clinical work reinforces the values of AfroProUnity:
- Cultural grounding: Sessions reflect the lived realities of diasporic Black clients and do not require them to educate their therapist about racism or identity.
- Trauma-informed care: He walks with people through the heaviness of systemic trauma while offering practical tools for healing.
- Empathetic leadership: He is as much a listener as he is a guide—championing wellness without judgement or hierarchy.
Final thoughts
Evan Essapa’s work isn’t loud, but its effects are seismic. By creating AfroProUnity and serving his community as a psychologist, he is challenging the narrative that care must come from outside the culture. Instead, he is proving that some of the most transformative healing comes from within—within our communities, within our stories, and within ourselves.
His work deserves our attention not for the sake of the spotlight, but because it reflects what’s possible when passion meets purpose. As Black communities across North America continue to navigate complex landscapes of racism, wellness, and identity, initiatives like AfroProUnity offer more than hope—they offer infrastructure, access, and care.
Evan’s journey reminds us that we don’t need to wait for top-down change to build a better future. It can start in a counselling room. It can start with a website. It can start with one person saying: We deserve more—and I’m willing to help make it happen.
To learn more or connect with the platform, visit AfroProUnity.com.
